Ensure Supply of Food in Typhoon-Hit Areas – Sen. Bam to DTI, LGUs

Date: July 18, 2014

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Senator Bam Aquino called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and local government units (LGUs) to ensure supply of basic goods and other important commodities in areas devastated by typhoon Glenda to avoid hike in prices.

“We must ensure that there’s enough supply of basic goods and other commodities in areas severely damaged by the recent typhoon, especially in the Bicol region,” said Aquino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“Usually, prices of basic products in areas devastated by typhoons and other calamities increase because of supply problems,” added Aquino.

Aquino also reminded businesses in areas placed under a state of calamity to abide by the 60-day price freeze imposed by the DTI.

Under Republic Act No. 7581 or the Price Act, an automatic price freeze is imposed in areas placed under state of calamity to ensure that goods remained at prevailing prices until the state of calamity is lifted.

“The clearing of roads due to fallen trees and other debris is crucial to the delivery of goods to typhoon stricken areas. We call on communities to help out our agencies to ensure our thoroughfares are passable,” Aquino added.

Aquino said among the products covered by the price freeze are basic non-agricultural necessities, including canned fish and other canned marine products, processed milk, coffee, laundry soap, detergents, candles, bread, and salt.

Also included in price freeze are fresh vegetables, roots crops, sugar, cooking oil, firewood, charcoal and medicine classified as essential by the Department of Health.

A fine of up to P1,000,000 and a maximum 10-year jail sentence await violators of the Price Act.

“The Price Act ensures availability of basic necessities and prime commodities at reasonable prices at all times without denying legitimate business a fair return on investment,” the senator said.

In addition, the lawmaker also appealed to businessmen to keep the cost of construction and building materials as a way of helping those rebuilding their homes destroyed by the typhoon.